Compare Port Vell with the old centre
Port Vell provides a waterfront setting near the lower end of La Rambla. It is a useful contrast with the enclosed streets and courtyards of the old centre. The official Port Vell visitor guide describes the area; it does not establish the sunlight at any particular table.
Identify the terrace behind the address
A venue on a wide route may serve outside in a sheltered side street or courtyard. A waterfront café can place its tables under a canopy. Locate that space before interpreting building shadows. For neighbourhood orientation, see the official La Rambla guide.
Choose the weather you want to sit in
More sun is not always a better lunch. In warmer conditions, a shaded terrace may be more comfortable, while direct sun may be welcome during a cooler visit. Check the forecast and available shade rather than assuming the most exposed spot is the best.
A useful comparison before a walk
Choose one plausible waterfront seating area and one alternative near your actual destination. Compare their building shadows at arrival and again near the end of the visit. Include your walking time from the old centre. Check trees, awnings and the real table position on arrival; the map cannot settle those details.
Try the building-shadow check before you leave
Open Coffee in the Sun, find your chosen spot and compare the estimated building shadows at arrival and departure. The free app includes today's timeline and three time jumps per day. The model uses mapped buildings, whose coverage and accuracy vary; it excludes trees, awnings and terrain, and cloud cover is not part of the shadow answer.
Use the five-step terrace check to interpret the result. Keep a nearby alternative and confirm the real seating on arrival.
